WVU Police officers make quick arrest following reported stabbing near Downtown area of campus

West Virginia University Police issued a Community Notice following the arrest of a suspect for an alleged stabbing that happened during a fight at an off-campus, private residence at 565 Price Street near the Downtown area of campus late Friday (May 2).

The stabbing was reported to University Police around 10:30 p.m. and officers quickly arrested the alleged suspect - Kaden James Vinar, 21, a University student from Champlin, Minnesota - on a felony charge of malicious wounding.

The victim, also a WVU student, was treated at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospitalfor a not life-threatening knife wound to the leg.

Vinar was arraigned Saturday (May 3) in Monongalia County Magistrate Court.

"This was not random. The alleged suspect and the victim know each other. The victim was visiting Vinar's home at the time of the incident," UPD Chief Sherry St. Clairsaid.

"The quick response from our officers to locate the suspect and take him into custody ensured this remained an isolated incident. At no point was there a threat to campus and, for that, our officers are to be commended. We always encourage our students and other members of the University community to work on healthy ways to resolve conflicts."

UPD offers a variety of safety training opportunitiesthat include verbal de-escalation training, while Student Lifeprovides support and advocacyoptions like mediationthrough Student Legal Servicesand counselingvia the Carruth Centeralong with many other services.

Additional Resources:

• WVU Police Department - 911, 304-293-2677, 304-293-3136
• WVU CARE Team
• WVU Carruth Center - 304-293-4431
• WVU Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance - 304-293-5600
• WVU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities - 304-293-8111
• WVU Faculty-Staff Assistance Program - 304-293-5590
• Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center - 304-292-5100
• WVU Office of Campus and Community Life - 304-293-5611
• WVU Student Health - 304-285-7200
• WVU Division of Student Life - 304-293-5811

Health, safety, preparedness and training resources are posted at safety.wvu.edu and police.wvu.edu.

Students and employees are encouraged to follow the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page as well as @WVUsafety on X, and download the LiveSafe app and allow push notifications for the latest safety information.

A Community Notice is part of the WVU three-tiered emergency notification system used to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Executive Director of Strategic Communications
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-8302; sjohns13@mail.wvu.edu

Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday.